HELP!!! Something wrong with my hatchling

I just got a baby ball python. Hatchling... he seems to be very sluggish and inactive. I know that they are not too active but this is unusual. There was even a point that I was holding him and he just went limp. I thought he was dead. Luckaly he wasn't. I mean I just got this snake yesturday. When I got him the lady told me that the people who she got him from would only feed him 1 every two weeks. I had a ball python before that I fed at least 1 a week if not 2 a week. I noticed that his skin tward his tail is wrinkled up. Kind of like in the way that a dogs neck would stay if you tested it for dehydration. I am afraid I will loose this snake. Is there anything I can do? I tried feeding him and he won't eat.

I also wanted to note that this snakes body is more of a traingle shape instead of the usual more roundish. His spine is showing really bad.

I would either take this animal to a vet ASAP! or take it back from wherever you bought it from. It does not sound like a healthy animal at all. There may be so many different things wrong, it would be near impossible to pin point the problem over the internet.

I second the notion. Take the snake to a vet ASAP! In the mean time limit handling it and make sure it has plenty of fresh water to drink.

take a picture of it and post it here...

Sounds emaciated and dehydrated, offer it some water. It also sounds from your description, too weak to eat. Very difficult to tell you anything except get advice from a vet!

You could also take it back. I hate people that sell animals in bad health!

Can you also describe your enclosure setup? Temps in particular.

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

take a picture of it and post it here...

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What for?

Good Luck!

Hope your friend is ok!

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

take a picture of it and post it here...

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Ryan no picture on any forum read by any person, experienced or not, replaces a vet visit if a member has a concern about the welfare of their herp.

im not telling the dude to not go to the vet, i really want him to take the snake to the vet, im just saying....just to have a look at how bad it looks...he said it was skinny, i just wanted to see....cool ur jets :)

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Originally Posted by vettegirl

I also wanted to note that this snakes body is more of a traingle shape instead of the usual more roundish. His spine is showing really bad.

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I would say to definately take him to a vet, did you hatch him or was it store bought?

Sounds emaciated and dehydrated, offer it some water. It also sounds from your description, too weak to eat. Very difficult to tell you anything except get advice from a vet!

>>>>I really think that is what it is too. One problemwith a vet is in this area we have no vets that care for repltiles. All cats, dogs and farm animals.

You could also take it back. I hate people that sell animals in bad health!

>>>>>>As for taking him back. I would but that would be putting this poor animal back in the sitiuation I just took it from. I am also trying to get this pet shop shut down because the rest of the shop and animals didn't look the greatest either.

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Originally Posted by Alan

did you hatch him or was it store bought?

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The OP stated ... "When I got him the lady told me that the people who she got him from would only feed him 1 every two weeks".

-adam

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

im not telling the dude to not go to the vet, i really want him to take the snake to the vet, im just saying....just to have a look at how bad it looks...he said it was skinny, i just wanted to see....cool ur jets :)

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Ryan, what people are saying is the owner would be better off spending their time getting the animal to a vet instead of wasting time taking pics.

The owner is seeking advice by those with some experience in ball pythons. And with problems that can arise in BP's. Hopefull, it will get to a vet ASAP!

I bought the snake I didn't hatch him. I have offered him water. I feel so bad for this poor little snake.

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Originally Posted by vettegirl

>>>>I really think that is what it is too. One problemwith a vet is in this area we have no vets that care for repltiles. All cats, dogs and farm animals.

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I can understand your situation. But since you already got the snake, it is your sole responsibility to give it the best care possible. It sounds to me like malnourishment and dehydration from what you are telling us, but none of us are qualified to give you a professional assessment online. Can you not ask the local vets if they know of anyone outside of the area to whom you can take the snake to?

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

The OP stated ... "When I got him the lady told me that the people who she got him from would only feed him 1 every two weeks".

-adam

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my bad, the reason i ask is i was thinking that it coul be in shock from tranfering into a new habitat, does anyone else think this could be the reason for it not eating?

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Originally Posted by Sputnik

Ryan, what people are saying is the owner would be better off spending their time getting the animal to a vet instead of wasting time taking pics.

The owner is seeking advice by those with some experience in ball pythons. And with problems that can arise in BP's. Hopefull, it will get to a vet ASAP!

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:(:(:(:(:(

r u saying im not experienced in ball pythons??
o...well ur right...lol

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Originally Posted by Alan

my bad, the reason i ask is i was thinking that it coul be in shock from tranfering into a new habitat, does anyone else think this could be the reason for it not eating?

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Nope. A well established hatchling will eat like a monster it's first year ... move it, poke it, drop it ... it will still eat.

Now, CH poo poo that has been in the country 10 weeks and has changed hands 13 times and maybe offered only one or two meals ... that sounds more like it.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Alan

my bad, the reason i ask is i was thinking that it coul be in shock from tranfering into a new habitat, does anyone else think this could be the reason for it not eating?

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If it's from a pet store then most likely it was housed with a ton of others all crawling over it in cold conditions!

oh, ok, i just asked because i know it can happen, but not exactly what it takes to put the poor baby in shock, maybe he misses his buddies from the pet store:P

Guys, pardon my ignorance but what is CH ?

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Originally Posted by lisa77

Guys, pardon my ignorance but what is CH ?

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Captive Hatched. :)

CB and CH ;)

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

CB and CH ;)

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Huh?

1. What do WC, CH, and CB mean?

WC - Wild Caught. These are snakes who were born and lived in the wild before being caught and imported for the pet trade.

CH - Captive Hatched. These are snakes hatched from eggs either laid by a female impregnated in the wild, or eggs found in the wild.

CB - Captive Bred. These are snakes whose parents bred in captivity, and who were hatched and raised in captivity also.

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Originally Posted by Alan

oh, ok, i just asked because i know it can happen, but not exactly what it takes to put the poor baby in shock, maybe he misses his buddies from the pet store:P

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Are you suggesting it got this sick in one day and started failing because it missed its buddies?

I assure you, it doesn't care about its buddies - they are not pack nor herd animals, they are solitary animals and prefer to be alone.

For the OP, check these two links for a qualified herp vet near you.
http://www.arav.org/Directory.htm

http://www.anapsid.org/vets/index.html#vetlist

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Are you suggesting it got this sick in one day and started failing because it missed its buddies?

I assure you, it doesn't care about its buddies - they are not pack nor herd animals, they are solitary animals and prefer to be alone.

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LOL... he was kidding!

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Originally Posted by Sputnik

LOL... he was kidding!

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How could you tell?:irkd:

I guess my next question is... if he is malnurished and dehydrated will I be able to save him? I know I need to take him to the vet but I am afraid all vets that would be able to help out are over 100 miles away.

Anything is possible, but the problem is you will need instructions from the vet, as well as equipment, in order to get nutrients into the snake. Not only that, but it may need antibiotics as well.
The weight loss could be due to parasites, and as far as I know you won't be able to treat that without help from a vet.

Maybe you should see what the closest vet is, before you worry that it might be too far to go. Does the snake have a water dish in its cage 24/7? I only ask because you said you "offered" it water. I'm pretty sure that you would be bright enough to keep water in there, but felt, well.. I have to ask.
A vet is what the little guy needs.
Wolfy

I think everyone here is just trying to help..let's not jump at each other's throats guys..we have a sick snake here and someone who is trying their best to help.


I am by no means qualified to give advice, but I do agree with taking it to a vet. If you can't take it, you need to find it a home for someone you can. No offense, but you have to do what is best for the animal (and I know your trying to do so)

Good luck, I really hope you do what you need to do.

I'm sure this thread and the other extremely similar dehydrated baby ball thread will not be the last this baby import season... as more and more time goes by and these captive hatched (I don't really care what the people say that you buy them from) babies starve and wither away, all the while still being purchased in their condition, we'll hear more and more.

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Originally Posted by Rapture

I'm sure this thread and the other extremely similar dehydrated baby ball thread will not be the last this baby import season... as more and more time goes by and these captive hatched (I don't really care what the people say that you buy them from) babies starve and wither away, all the while still being purchased in their condition, we'll hear more and more.

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Yes I agree - it is, sadly, that time of year :(

I live in the UK and we have very few specialist vets for exotics. Quite a while back I had to take a cockatiel to a vet that, although wasn't an avian specialist, had seen some birds. He cared for my tiel (which was badly egg-bound) and through consulting with a premier avian expert here in the UK managed to save my little bird by extracting the egg - and she was on her last legs then but made a quick recovery.

What I guess I'm suggesting is that it may be possible for you to visit a vet there who has "some" experience in exotics and suggest that he consult with a herp expert (that's exactly what I did, and mentioned the said expert's name) - the expert could then suggest to your vet the best course of action. It sounds like the little guy needs some attention fast if you really can't get to a reptile vet.

try and get it to a vet. you would be suprised at what vets can treat when they only know anout cats and dogs.

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Originally Posted by Rapture

I'm sure this thread and the other extremely similar dehydrated baby ball thread will not be the last this baby import season... as more and more time goes by and these captive hatched (I don't really care what the people say that you buy them from) babies starve and wither away, all the while still being purchased in their condition, we'll hear more and more.

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i feel lucky with my girl..she is a ch from africa. then came here to the states 2 days after she hatched. she is getting fat now but her head is funny shaped... I think she might be diformed...

EDIT ***DUH, from africa... .. gosh i feel dumb... I'm just the queen of odvious(sp?)

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Originally Posted by Rapture

I'm sure this thread and the other extremely similar dehydrated baby ball thread will not be the last this baby import season... as more and more time goes by and these captive hatched (I don't really care what the people say that you buy them from) babies starve and wither away, all the while still being purchased in their condition, we'll hear more and more.

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I agree with this post but I would rather get this animal out of the situation and into my care as I obviously know more about them than this pet shop does. I don't claim to know alot about them but I obviously know more than they do. Again I would rather purchase this snake in this condition and help it back to health thenletit be in that situation and starve to death because I didn't purchase it in that condition. If I could do this with allanimals I would but I doknow andunderstand that there are so many out there who need help and never get it.

Great news!!!! I got my baby to eat today. :D A little trickery on my part but he did eat. Yes I do keep water in the tank at all times. I have found a vet and will be taking him asap. I have decided to name him Loredo. My other ball pythons name was Diego. I missed him so bad that I had to get another. :snake2:

What happened to Diego?

I had to find him a new home because at that time I was expecting and someone reported I had a snake and I was told to find him a new home. He was so healthy.

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Originally Posted by vettegirl

Great news!!!! I got my baby to eat today. :D A little trickery on my part but he did eat.

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Awesome! Here's a tip- I would avoid handling him/her AT ALL until she gets a few meals down. Its pretty critical that the snake be as stress free as possible while he/she bounces back.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Awesome! Here's a tip- I would avoid handling him/her AT ALL until she gets a few meals down. Its pretty critical that the snake be as stress free as possible while he/she bounces back.

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I did know that. I never handled my other ball python for a few days after he ate. I did noticed it took him about an hour to get it down allthe way because he was so weak.

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Originally Posted by vettegirl

I had to find him a new home because at that time I was expecting and someone reported I had a snake and I was told to find him a new home. He was so healthy.

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That is so sad - so "they" think BP's are dangerous??? I'm glad Loredo has eaten for you :)

I think that they were worried about salmanila. It has been a few hours since he ate and he seems to be already livening up. I have more confiednce that he will make it now.

Double and triple check your temps, and make sure it never goes below 82. I'm glad he was able to eat on his own. Go Loredo. :gj:

Thank you I will keep that in mind.

Never underestimate The will to survive in any animal, hopfully he will continue to eat and gain some weight, Its great to hear about a sucess I fear we will be hearing of alot of failures and loss. I Look forward to hearing opdates!

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Originally Posted by vettegirl

I did know that. I never handled my other ball python for a few days after he ate. I did noticed it took him about an hour to get it down allthe way because he was so weak.

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I think they mean not to handle it AT ALL for a few weeks straight, until it has eaten a few consecutive meals, not just while it is digesting.

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Originally Posted by vettegirl

I agree with this post but I would rather get this animal out of the situation and into my care as I obviously know more about them than this pet shop does. I don't claim to know alot about them but I obviously know more than they do. Again I would rather purchase this snake in this condition and help it back to health thenletit be in that situation and starve to death because I didn't purchase it in that condition. If I could do this with allanimals I would but I doknow andunderstand that there are so many out there who need help and never get it.

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Yeah I know it's kind of a catch-22, if you buy the animal you are supporting the shop to bring in more in the same condition or lead them to be that way, and if you don't buy it, it will continue to suffer until bought by someone else, and likely continue to suffer if they aren't reptile experienced. I understand, that's one of the reasons I got my four.

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Originally Posted by vettegirl

Great news!!!! I got my baby to eat today. :D A little trickery on my part but he did eat.

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What trick:O ?